Kurt Warner Tells Tim Tebow To Tone Down Jesus Talk

November 29, 2011 · 13 Comments

By TPR Staff

Add Kurt Warner to the list of former NFL quarterbacks who are advising Tim Tebow to tone down the Jesus talk.

Last week, former Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer said that while he liked how Tebow handles himself and how he has brought success to the broncos, he wishes that he would “rather not have to hear that [references to Jesus Christ] every single time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff.” Plummer said that he respects Tebow and understand how he feels about religion. Everyone knows how Tebow feels about religion.

And that was Plummers’ point. “”I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ, then I think I’ll like him a little better.” Plummer would just prefer not to have to hear it at every single opportunity.

Warner was the latest former quarterback to discuss Tebow and religion, and he may be the ideal candidate to do so, considering Warner was always shown as a deeply religious man when he played for the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals. But Warner also suggested that Tebow may want to curb some of the talk when he is asked about the game and his teammates and his chances of making the playoffs.

“I’d tell him [Tebow], ‘Put down the boldness in regards to the words, and keep living the way you’re living,” Warner told the Arizona Republic. “Let your teammates do the talking for you. Let them cheer on your testimony.”

Warner went on to tell the Republic that ”I know what he’s going through, and I know what he wants to accomplish, but I don’t want anybody to become calloused toward Tim because they don’t understand him, or are not fully aware of who he is. And you’re starting to see that a little bit.”

Warner has a point. I don’t feel that most people have a problem with Tebow because of his beliefs. After all, this is still somewhat a free country, right? But when people feel as if they are constantly having something crammed down their throat, they will quickly turn on you.

Kurt Warner is the second former QB in the past week advising Tim Tebow to curb his religious talk.

“There’s almost a faith cliche, where [athletes] come out and say, ‘I want to thank my Lord and savior,’” Warner said. “As soon as you say that, the guard goes up, the walls go up, and I came to realize you have to be more strategic. The greatest impact you can have on people is never what you say, but how you live. When you speak and represent the person of Jesus Christ in all actions of your life, people are drawn to that. You set the standard with your actions. The words can come after.”

What Warner is saying is that Tebow should continue to live the same way he has his entire life. Clearly, he is doing something right.

But Tebow may want to think about Warner is saying. I would certainly advise the current Broncos quarterback to listen to Warner above Plummer, although both are making similar points.

Warner just did it in a more articulate way.

And while Tebow continues to win and keep every quote with a religious undertone, it may be in the best interest of his future and his team if he does indeed begin to curb some of the references afterward. With his recent success, the last thing he wants to do is alienate himself from any of his teammates.

That means if Tebow thanks Jesus after every game and big win – which I have no problem with him doing – but not any of his other teammates, then things could get nasty in a hurry in Denver.

Readers Comments (13)

Well…so much for supporting a Christian brother!! My formerly high opinion of Warner just took a biggg nosedive!

Jeremy

5:35 am on December 1, 2011

Mine too sadly

Candace

3:06 am on November 30, 2011

i’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t a huge Tebow fan before his NFL career partly because of my residency but now I see more of him in the media than I had before. It’s disappointing to see this so called free country try to squash his passion for God. I say free reign to the Jesus talk because he as more guts and passion than any Christian I’ve ever seen and every supposed Christian could learn a lesson from him. He is not trying to force feed people Christianity. He is exercising his First Amendment rights and exhibiting incredible passion.

anon

8:45 am on November 30, 2011

God does not need us to be strategic when talking about him… Gods word doesn’t come back void. To some it will be life giving salvation, and to others it will be condemnation. – What is there that is worth talking about more so than Jesus? If you get tired of Tebow talking about Jesus, its not because you don’t like Tebow, its that you don’t like Jesus… Plain and simple…

Estevan

3:42 pm on November 30, 2011

Iam disappointed at Kurt.Tebow is not drowning the public on this matter.Kurt you should back him up instead of critizeing him.He is simply himself,thinks about his team first then the rest follows,how awsome can that be.

Sue

4:21 pm on November 30, 2011

I disagree with Warner and others. I think in this day and age, when you aren’t even supposed to mention God or have him be in any part of public life, it is good. If someone mentions God, WALLS shouldn’t immediately go UP as one of them put it. There is a clue right there that anti-religion or God is getting out of hand in our country. I am not even active in any religion other than I have faith and believe in God/Christ, but I see nothing wrong with it. That is how Tebow was raised and how he is. Why should you not like him because of that? It is crazy. You should respect him more. He is not cramming anything down your throat. He is speaking from HIS heart; and again, that’s how he was raised and it is just part of him.

Matt Foster

9:19 pm on November 30, 2011

Kurt Warner, Jake Plummer and others need to show some unselfish and patient behaviors. If TT’s simple statement thanking his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the opening of each post game interview followed by a God Bless to all at the end is offensive to some then so be it. A Christian never knows when that one statement might actually be heard for the first time by someone on the planet who will seek out the truth for themselves about Christ and the loving No=Cost gift of salvation for eternity with Him that he offers and that so many simply want to flush. Can’t imagine turning down the most magnificent “Free” gift offered ever, but people continue to reject it as God has said in scripture…only a few will enter the gates of Heaven. Kurt Warner, I am sure would be ashamed if Tim followed his guidance and that kept even a single person from realizing and accepting the gift offered by Christ. The Great Commission imposed by Christ to all Christians is simply to spread the word about this “Free” gift. Then it is up to the individual to chose…albeit it will be the most critical decision or non-decisiion of each individual’s life in this fallen world.

Matt

9:40 pm on November 30, 2011

Kurt Warner, Jake Plummer and others need to show some unselfish and patient behaviors. A Christian never knows when that one statement or action might actually be seen/heard for the first time by someone on the planet who will seek out the truth for themselves about Christ and the loving No=Cost gift of salvation for eternity with Him that he offers and that so many simply want to flush. Can’t imagine turning down the most magnificent “Free” gift offered ever, but people continue to reject it as God has said in scripture…only a few will enter the gates of Heaven. Kurt Warner, I am sure would be ashamed if Tim followed his guidance and that kept even a single person from realizing and accepting the gift offered by Christ. The Great Commission imposed by Christ to all Christians is simply to spread the word about this “Free” gift. Then it is up to the individual to chose…albeit it will be the most critical decision or non-decisiion of each individual’s life in this fallen world.

Matt

9:42 pm on November 30, 2011

Kurt Warner, Jake Plummer and others need to show some unselfish and patient behaviors. A Christian never knows when that one statement or action might actually be seen/heard for the first time by someone on the planet who will seek out the truth for themselves about Christ and the loving No=Cost gift of salvation for eternity with Him that he offers and that so many simply want to flush. Can’t imagine turning down the most magnificent “Free” gift offered ever, but people continue to reject it as God has said in scripture…only a few will enter the gates of Heaven. Kurt Warner, I am sure would be ashamed if Tim followed his guidance and that kept even a single person from realizing and accepting the gift offered by Christ. The Great Commission imposed by Christ to all Christians is simply to spread the word about this “Free” gift.

Sharon

4:48 pm on December 1, 2011

Wow was this a real back hand to Tim Tebow. Tone down as being “lukewarm” for Jesus and passionate for the “pigskin”. We need heros with a spine who walk the talk. Go Tebow!!

Michelle

1:47 am on December 2, 2011

I don’t think Kurt meant any harm at all, but to give guidance, but why do we have to listen to all this foul language and noone think anything about it? But say the name of Jesus, which by the way is a good thing, and people get offended. I just don’t get it. Say on, Tebow.